Hi everyone. the last version of chapter two wasn't as appealing to me...so i changed some stuff. mainly the conversation between Kaiba and his social worker. So if you want, you can re-read that or just ignore this update altogether. Thanks again everyone!


Chapter 2: Daily Conversations
The shower Téa took after her jog set her mood in perfect tranquility. A steamy shower with scented bath soap and a sponge ball could always make her feel better, no matter what the circumstances were prior to entering the shower.

Much better. Ugh. Now I all I have to do is face the hell hole a.k.a: school. Seriously, I'm just waiting for the day I can graduate and forever leave this joint. AND SCHOOL ONLY STARTED A FEW DAYS AGO.

Truth. School had started the Monday of this week, and for Téa it already felt like an eternity had passed. Sure, she was glad to see all of her friends again after a long summer, but they had spent enough time together. She was also sad to learn that she barely had any classes with any of them—being the overachiever and clearly crazy girl that she was. However, she had the overflowing pleasure of being in 4 of the same classes with the overly grouchy Kaiba who never ceased to bug her. Constantly she might add. Even if he wasn't even talking to her!

The continuous clicking on the keys of his laptop often distracted her from her precious and life-fulfilling education. Although, at times, the rhythmic drumming of the keys often did lull her into a peaceful daydream, which she didn't mind. He was an enigma to her though. Every lunch she saw him sitting off to the side with his computer and other advanced technological gadgets. She wondered if he EVER hung out with any friends. Hell, did he even have friends? Kaiba always seemed to push people away, even when people—like her—extended a hand of friendship.

Téa also wondered what happened to his teenage years, or lack thereof. He was ALWAYS doing work, and she was pretty sure that he never got decent sleep from the tired look in his eyes. But. But his enigmatic presence never seemed to fade. He was strong: never faltering in front of an enemy, spending countless sleepless nights working on inventions, never being unmindful of his duties as a big brother and almost father-like figure.

As the thoughts of Kaiba floated through her mind, Téa drifted down the stairs as her nose carried her body towards the scrumptious breakfast her mother prepared for her. Scrambled eggs and French toast. Her mother's specialty. She talked with her folks for a few minutes before grabbing her backpack and bouncing out of the house to go to school. With her IPOD snug in her ears, she continued her peaceful journey to school, unaware of the drama she'd be facing the rest of the school day.


DURING SCHOOL

"Téa! Téa! Whas wit all dis political junk?"

Looking over her shoulder, she caught sight of a mop of dirty blond hair bouncing her way. Joey. Always the one to break my train of thought.

"Hey Joey! Apparently elections are going on next week for our president and all that other stuff."

"Oh…you mean dose stuck-up, power hungry teens dat jus do dis for college?"

Téa shook her head, "Yup. That sounds just about right."

Laughing together, Joey Wheeler and Téa made their way to their lockers, talking about what they had done the day before. However, something had been plaguing Joey ever since Téa told him about the school elections. He closed his locker and faced Téa directly in the eye. With a hesitant look on his face, Joey braved the comment he'd been wanting to ask her for the last five minutes now.

"Hey Téa," Téa looked in his direction. "You should totally run…"

In the distance a young man with glacier eyes chuckled at the thought.


"I beg your pardon Mitchell."

"That's right Mr. Kaiba, if you want to get into a good business college, they always look for school involvement, and so far, according to my documents and records, you have done nothing to get involved in school. Also I just received your school records, it says here that you've slipped to the second of your class. Did you know about this?"

"I beg your pardon? Second? Who the hell is in first? Who the hell could beat me?"

"Apparently a young woman by the name of Téa Gardner. Do you know of her?"

"Do I know of her? I despise the girl. She's an audacious little girl who doesn't have anything to live for except her friends. She's a weakling."

Liar.

"You know Seto, when you start applying for college, they'll be looking at everything."

"I AM the ultimate prodigy. I am the smartest man alive, with a reputation that will go untarnished by the hands of Téa Gardner. How could she have gotten a higher ranking than me? I'm the top in all of my classes. I take advanced placement classes on top of that. I've secured the reaches of my education, and I absorb all knowledge like a sponge. I AM better than her."

"Seems to me like your missing one vital piece of information there."

"Explain yourself Mitchell."

"Aren't you in any extracurricular activities Seto?"

"I don't have the time to immerse myself in nonsensical extra curricular activities. I have a multi-billion dollar company to run. Where do you think I'll have the time?"

"Well, just pointing it out to you sir. I'm positive the reason why she's reached the honor of first in her class is because she's involved in school related activities. School administration looks at everything."

"I see."

Kaiba got up from his seat and walked towards the large glass window in his office. Thinking. Thinking intently. The new news had shocked him. He did NOT take second place very well. He had handled it enough when dealing with Yugi and his stupid dueling skills. School, education, knowledge, and power were all his. HE controlled them. He was NOT controlled. Taking a seat in his corporate chair, and propping his feet up on the table he set his chin in his hands. A thinking stance. THE thinking stance. The world's greatest gaming inventions were created and developed with this simple gesture.

He got it.

"Mitchell. So, if I want to be first in my class I need to participate in these so called 'school related activities' right?"

Mitchell shook his head in agreement.

"Would running for student body count?"

"Of course. I'd consider that the best thing possible at this point."

With the information gathered Kaiba stood up from his chair and walked over to the window. With a small chuckle Kaiba mumbled, "Perfect."


"Joey," Téa replied, "be real here. Do you really think I stand a chance against all the popular kids that run?"

"Téa! You are popular. Everyone at school knows you. They all like you—which is a bonus. And they all know you'll get the job done. How much more support do you need?"

"How about the financial support huh? I'm sorry to point it out, but running for any position in the student body requires bribery. Didn't you notice all the free snacks that you got last year during elections?"

"OHHHH…SO THAT'S WHAT THEY WERE FOR!!!"

Téa shook her head. "Joey, I can't do it. I mean…I love this school a lot, but I know that if I take my issues to the principal's office, they'll just turn me down. I have no authority over what needs to be changed."

"Téa, dis is so not you." Holding Téa by the shoulders Joey looked her directly into the eye. "I know you can do it. And I know that you know you can do it. You jus need some confidence. Das all."

"Confidence and two years worth of salary," Téa sighed as Joey pushed her in the direction of the sign up list.


Téa tried desperately to turn away from Joey's grasp, but he was strong, and well… Téa wasn't as lucky. With the heels of her feet dug into the ground, she attempted to reason him out of it. However, her attempts were futile, because Téa soon found herself in the Activities Office with a pen in front of her face, and the sign up list conveniently in front of her.

"Ugh….JOEY! Why do you have to be so persistent?"

"It's one of my many gifts," Joey smiled at his triumph.

"I didn't know the dog could achieve anything besides licking his paws and rolling around in the dirt?" A smug voice stated from the door of the activities office.

Joey turned around, fuming. That kind of language could only come from one person. The person he despised the most in this school, in this city, and in this world. The person he faced constant humiliation from, and the person that he knew he could pummel one day…just not any time soon. The infamous Seto Kaiba.

Meanwhile, the pen Téa was holding almost slipped through her fingers. Her head turned to the voice that pounded through the office. What a sight to see. The sun's rays hovered around him, making it seem like he was glowing in the doorway. His features were sharp and bright, appealing, and so utterly sexy.

Bad Téa…get those thoughts of your head.

But he's just so delicious.

Téa! For goodness sake control yourself. You're not exactly on the best terms with him.

Then she recalled this morning, and how rude he was to her. Immediately the logical side of her took control and faced the apparent situation.

"Kaiba, why is it that every time I go somewhere, you're always behind me? Stalking might be your new hobby, but I'd get a little more practice in before you make any more moves."

And with that out of her system, Téa continued to sign her name upon the sign-up sheet. While Kaiba stared daggers at her, Téa received information on campaigning, and what the rules were.

"Signing up for student body I see," Kaiba stated once he gathered his composure and entered the office.

"Yes, and you're still annoying I see," Téa responded, earning a snicker from Joey who was thoroughly enjoying the poison swap.

Kaiba loved this. Téa Gardner had continuously proven herself as a worthwhile opponent during these little spats. They were the only things he truly enjoyed at this prison. She always offered him a challenge, and he was never one to back out of a challenge. He slid closer to where her body laid leaning across the counter. In an attempt to steal the pen from her, his hands curtsied up her arm, ever so slightly, earning a curious glance from the young woman.

Her cheeks just about flushed at the seemingly absent minded touch. However, her features presented no obvious discontent with his action. Instead she stood there, reveling in the disappoint that was apparent on his features. He was expecting a reaction from her. She failed to deliver. With his sights set on at least unnerving the girl in front of him, Kaiba tried his last move. He leaned over slightly, his mouth close to her ear.

With complete control and delicacy he whispered, "Be careful Téa, it's dangerous to play with fire."

With a stroke of his hand, Kaiba walked out of the activities office leaving a thoroughly aroused Téa in his wake. As soon as he stepped out the door, she released her breath and took another deep one to ensure she was still alive, and to confirm that it was Kaiba that was just up in her face. She looked down at the piece of paper in front of her. Underneath her signature was his.

PRESIDENTIAL SIGN-UPS

1)Téa Gardener

2)Seto Kaiba

Oh great. She thought. I'm running against Kaiba for president. Could high school be any more dramatic?

While Téa walked out of the office, Joey by her side, she was pulled away to be asked out on a date—which she denied—from a fellow senior.


KAIBA'S POV

He could have sworn that he was losing more and more brain cells by the second. What other plausible explanation was there for him practically coming within 2 centimeters of Téa's face, and telling her in an almost suggestive way to 'be careful when playing with fire.'

The truth?

There WAS no plausible explanation for his action, because it was an ill-thought, animalistic action that was unnecessary. Although, he did enjoy watching the slight blush fade onto her smooth silky cheeks.

Stop it!

Why was he interested in the soft glow of Téa's cheeks, and the way her smile brightened up any room all of a sudden? THERE HE GOES AGAIN! He knew he couldn't help it. After all. He was a man. Any man would have wants and desires in life. Since Kaiba grew up a bit too fast, he never had time for any of that. Lately, however, his hormones seemed to be catching up a bit too fast for him. He couldn't help but notice the curves of a woman as they walked by him, and he couldn't help noticing how Téa's legs were so long and smooth…

WHAT IS THIS? I can totally understand why I'm obsessing over girls, but why the hell am I obsessing over Téa? There are so many other fish in the sea. Why am I stuck on the one I know I can't have.

That's exactly why you want her. You know she's the best catch at this school. She's the only one that doesn't ogle at you, she's the only one that isn't intimidated by your presence, and she's the only one who's not afraid to tell you what's right.

You're right. But you'd think that with all the famous models I work with, all the famous celebrities I work with, that I'd go for something a little more like eye candy.


TEA'S POV

Shrugging off the guy who thought he could get a date out of me, I continued my walk with Joey. He was just laughing at the face I made when the loser asked me out. The reason for why I made the face? Well, after coming out of the office, experiencing extremely close contact with the hottest guy at school, I'm going to feel a little flabbergasted. Right?

But what really bothered me was how aroused I got at the small action. I thought the guy had no sex appeal. Well, I've changed my opinion as of looks at watch 6 minutes ago. On top of that, I'd never seen Kaiba interact with a woman before. His provocative nature really sent me tumbling. Tumbling into a state of blushing and red cheeks.

And his touch. It was so slight, but so soft. You'd think that with all that working at the computer, and all the working he does with his hands, his hands would be calloused. He had the smoothest fingers.

All the smoother to feel you with my deary.

Oh shut up. It's not like anything like that will ever happen in my life.

I always knew that my parents would end up setting me up with a nice guy who had really good family support, and a strong cultural background. I'd act like the perfect housewife, taking care of the kids, and forgetting about my goals and my dreams. That's how the perfect husband would want me to act. Well, let that perfect husband go to hell.

I want a husband who's not afraid of the woman being strong and self motivated. I have dreams and I want to achieve them. Give me a man who's willing to do that for his wife, and I'd be happy to marry him. However, we all know that in this male dominant society, that's very unlikely to happen. I know of a very few number of guys who'd let their woman take the lead role in the relationship, and I have to say, I admire those men more than the ones who consider themselves mightier than their woman.

AND ON TOP OF THAT….the woman that actually stand for this kind of stuff. The woman who let their men walk all over them should be shunned. Just because we're women doesn't make us weaker in any way. But…getting off topic here.

Where was I?

You were talking about how beautiful Kaiba was.

Right. He's seriously the sexiest man alive…all I want to do is kiss…HEY…I was NOT talking about how beautiful Kaiba was. I was wondering why he acted the way he did…

Well then…you didn't need my help then did you?


NORMAL POV

The rest of the day went by in a blunder for the two traumatized teens. With Kaiba immersing himself in the rest of his work, and Téa concentrating on school and maintaining her sanity with friends, the day passed by normally. But as soon as the teenagers arrived at their respectable houses the war was declared, and plans were set to motion. (i.e. the political campaign had started).


THANKS TO ALL OF THE READERS THAT REVIEWED FOR THE LAST CHAPTER.

ALSO. thanks to Anshu for helping me to clear some of this stuff up. hope this chapter's better and makes more sense.

Hope you all enjoyed this latest update…I have ideas flowing right now, and I have a whole slew of emotions to release at this point. Take care everybody, and please review to this chapter. I'll see you all next chapter.

PLEASE REVIEW!